November 14, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 182 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page H8835]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      WELCOMING MR. DIPESH PANDYA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick) is recognized for 1 minute.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize our guest 
chaplain for today, Dipesh Pandya, along with members of the BAPS 
mandirs in our district in Pennsylvania.
  They are here with hundreds of prominent Indian Americans who are 
also members of the BAPS organization, a Hindu faith that holds 
services in 32 States across 91 congressional districts.
  They are here with us today to celebrate Diwali, the festival of 
lights, a festival celebrated by over 2 million Indian Americans across 
the United States. This 5-day celebration signifies the triumph of 
light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair.
  Diwali reminds us that there is joy in serving God, serving our 
country, serving our community, and our fellow citizens, particularly 
during times of calamity and despair. Traditionally, rows of divas, or 
candles, were used to illuminate and dispel darkness.
  Today we are reminded that we must work together, united and in 
friendship, to serve this great Nation and the communities in which we 
live.
  Indeed, the BAPS community throughout the United States continuously 
strives to serve society through various charitable and humanitarian 
activities, ranging from food drives to disaster relief efforts, 
including the planting of trees.
  On behalf of my fellow Members of Congress, I am proud to recognize 
and welcome the BAPS members who have traveled here to Washington from 
across the country.

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